Following a troubled start to his first full season back on the grid, Ricciardo, 34, arrived for tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix as a driver under pressure.
Ricciardo was handed a reprieve by Red Bull's junior outfit, RB, midway through last season, after he was dumped by McLaren.
But he has failed to get up to speed in 2024, out-qualified by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda at every event, and without a point to his name.
He also crashed out on the first lap in Japan a fortnight ago, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner - integral in bringing him back into the fold - said in Shanghai that Ricciardo has 'under-performed' so far this season.
It has even been suggested that a failure to turn his troubling form around could see Ricciardo replaced by Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson as early as the next race in Miami.
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